Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Mar 18, 2007 15:15:41 GMT -5
I tried to contain my sobs as I ran, tried to stop being so weak. I had no reason for crying; I didn't know the man, I probably couldn't have stopped what had happened.
But at the same time, it was my fault. My fault I had called out his name. My fault he had turned around. Maybe if I had kept quiet, he would have kept going, would have been able to dodge the plank of wood and keep living. That was what I got for trying to interfere.
Trying to help.
Glancing behind me to make sure Kakashi was keeping up, I saw he wasn't even there. I slid to a stop, coasting across the sleek boardwalk before turning around and walking back the other way.
This was also my fault, probably. The fact that I had left him behind. Who knew where he was now. He could have lost sight of me and gone the wrong way. Or maybe, hopefully, he hadn't moved at all.
With the rain and wind, it was becoming harder to see. My eyes strained to see past my hair blowing in front of them, tried to look through the gray sheet of rain. But it was near impossible. "Kakashi!" I hollered, hoping the wind would carry my voice in the right direction.
And there he was. Standing in the same place as before. Apparently, I wasn't the only one with problems. "Hey!" I snapped as I walked over to him, hoping to snap him out of his trance. "We have to go!" I looked up at the still darkening sky.
The weather was going to get worse. I took a hand and grabbed Kakashi's shoulder, shaking it slightly.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Mar 21, 2007 20:17:22 GMT -5
=Against my will I stand beside my own reflection= =Its haunting how I can’t seem to find myself again=
What, hmm? We have to go, we have to go where? Oh, right, we have to go to the inn before we get our heads smashed in.
This was the thought process I went through for a few, long, agonizing seconds, the world fading into existence, the rain drowning me where I stood, and someone's voice in my ear.
The storm raged around us, and with a look of shock and horror I turned to Ailiana, understanding finally what was going on. I was angry with her, wasn't I? Hadn't I been, just a moment ago? I wasn't sure, but it didn't matter anymore.
I-I'm sorry.
I stammered, realizing I was keeping her, realizing I was endangering both of us this my childish fears. It was a storm, get over it I told myself, you're being unfair to Ailiana, you shouldn't be so focused on yourself. Hadn't she just been crying, hadn't she just witnessed a man die, one she had tried to save? And I hadn't thought about it for a second.
I nodded, blinking my eyes in an attempt to clear my vision. Run, run Kakashi...
=There's something inside me that pulls beneath the surface, consuming, confusing= =This lack of self control I fear is never ending=
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
|
Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Mar 22, 2007 17:23:27 GMT -5
It's okay. Something I thought, but didn't say. I have no idea why I kept silent, only nodded. Was I trying to be cold on purpose? Or was it something that, after being in Nicondae so long, just came naturally? It wasn't appealing to me, though; I didn't like who I was becoming.
And then I turned on my heel, starting to run off. Slowly at first to be sure I wouldn't lose Kakashi again. Then faster as I started to remember moments in the past as I always did while running. It felt like they were swarming me, attacking me. Pelting against my skin, I could feel them through my dress against my cold flesh...
No. No, that was the rain. It was then I realized that we were in front of the inn. I slid to a stop, recognizing my ragged breath as I waited for Kakashi, trying to find him through the rain. For all I could see, though, he could have been right next to me.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Mar 26, 2007 19:49:12 GMT -5
I slid to a stop beside her, the rain slipping down my neck, soaking us both to the core. I predicted a really bad cold in the morning. If there even was a morning.
I opened the door, my fingernails cutting into the wood in an attempt to hold it open against the wind. It pulled and pushed, bringing down the sharp, painful rain to pierce our flesh. By the gods, I hated storms.
I slipped into the room, many faces lifting to look at us two ragged travelers. There were many people here, much more then there were rooms, and I realized this wasn't just some seaside storm, it was a full fledged hurricane. As if the man getting his head crushed in hadn't been a big enough clue.
Ye' have rooms?
The innkeeper asked, a fresh pile of steaming potatoes, cut and spiced, rested on his arm. I sure did hope he was going to make more of those.
Yes, she does.
I replied breathlessly, pointing to Ailiana.
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
|
Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Mar 26, 2007 20:25:32 GMT -5
And there was Kakashi's finger, pointed straight at me. I almost put my hands up in the air, but I caught myself. I offered a smile that stopped short at my eyes to the innkeeper, not sure what to do in this sort of situation.
Did I have two beds? Yes, I had two beds. A good thing, too, considering that it didn't look like there would be many spare rooms. "Can I have my key?" I asked, stretching my hand outward.
As the innkeeper started away to a plaque covered with knobs of brass keys, I turned to Kakashi. "That is, unless you wanted something to eat first."
I hoped he said yes. I had been out longer than expected, and it was well after lunch. And the enticing aroma around me was starting to make my mouth water, to be honest.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Mar 30, 2007 20:36:06 GMT -5
Eat, food. Yes, that sounded good.
I nodded, falling into a nearby chair. I would have pulled out one for Ailiana, but at that moment all I wanted was to sit down, to rest, to escape the wind outside. It was weighing heavily on my mind, distracting my thoughts. If a child had come up and tried to beat me up, I had little doubt that he would succeed.
Are you alright? I mean, back there... are you ok? Maybe we should go up to the room, we don't have to eat, you know...
I asked, glancing at Ailiana. The potatoes tickled my nose, teasing me, drawing me in. I was so torn, though, between so many things. There were no dark corners here, no where I could sit and eat in seclusion away from prying eyes, but did it matter anymore? Did I really need the mask?
Stop it, think straight. I warned myself. But which was was straight?
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Mar 31, 2007 9:47:24 GMT -5
I looked up from the table I was staring at to have a moment of eye contact with Kakashi. And it was creepy. My posture instantly went straight, and I had the feeling of his eyes boring into me. I wanted to slap him and tell him to stop and start crying again at the same time.
My eyes flickered back to the scarred wood of the table, my finger following the groove of a particularly long cut. "I'm fine," I mumbled, gritting my teeth. "It doesn't matter."
It did matter, though. It was something I had to talk about, and that much I knew. But I refused to listen. The innkeeper, apparently seeing Kakashi's hungry gaze, slapped two messy plates in front of us, both adorned with potatoes. I supposed it would be added to my bill without my knowing, but I was really too hungry to focus on that much.
Just then, though, the barman passed by, a tray of shot glasses inside, each filled with a rich, amber liquid. Without a thought, I reached out, plucking one off the tray and tipped it upside down, knowing that if I didn't swallow it fast I'd spit it back out. It ran down my throat like a horse on fire, pounding against the sides with its hooves mercilessly, forcing me to cough.
But I felt a warm flush beginning to tickle its way down my body, making my feel more relaxed. I didn't drink on a regular basis. In fact, it was safe to say this was only my fifth alcoholic bevarage. But for some reason the calming effect appealed to me.
That was probably why I motioned for another shot.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Mar 31, 2007 10:18:16 GMT -5
I took the fact that she was drinking as a good sign, and I myself grabbed a glass, looking at the amber liquid inside. I swirled it around and around, unsure of what to do. My ears were focused on the storm outside, and I had to pull myself once more out of my memories to glance up at Ailiana. It struck me that she didn't seem like the kind to drink, and if she kept going she could end up drunk.
With a sigh I placed the drink down, instead turning to the others in the room. Every table was full, but the room was oddly quieter then usual. They all looked a bit ragged, a bit off, a bit scared. A young mother and her child huddled in a corner, her husband wrapping his arm around their still damp forms.
I imagined Ailiana and I looked like messes as well, but I had never really been one to care about my appearance.
So, with a sigh I set my head on the table, poking the potatoes carefully with my finger. I grumbled under my breath about them being to hot to eat, and to my dismay, the steam stopped rising for them and they felt perfectly warm enough to eat.
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Post by Kasanda [Onora] on Mar 31, 2007 10:27:39 GMT -5
I furrowed my brow at Kakashi as the bar man strolled over, putting the glass in front of me before rushing away to serve a man who looked like he had had one too many drinks. I knew if I kept going I might look the same way. But that didn't stop me from swallowing the contents of the shot anyway.
This time, it was less like fire, more like... more like warmth. More tolerable, really. Food didn't seem appealing to me anymore. I shoved my potatoes at Kakashi, although he hadn't eaten his own yet. I looked around for the barman, waving him over once more.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Mar 31, 2007 10:34:32 GMT -5
I watched another glass magically appear and then disappear in front of Ailiana, and it didn't comfort me that much. The idea of having to drag the drunk girl upstairs to her bed wasn't very appealing right now, and with a grunt I sat straighter, leaning on my hand as another glass came.
You'd better be careful.
I muttered quietly, not completely intending to have her hear me. An argument wasn't a very enjoyable thought, either.
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Mar 31, 2007 18:45:13 GMT -5
His comment registered to me while my fifth glass was half way to my lips. I stared at him for a few seconds, debating on whether or not to put the glass down. I could use an excuse and say my arm gained a mind of its own, bringing the glass to my mouth and tipping it back. I made a face as I swallowed, putting the empty glass on a passing tray. "Don't tell me what to do," I snapped.
I was probably coming off as some girl who was only rejoicing in the absence of elders, but it really wasn't like that at all. Because the image of the dead man I had tried to save was floating in my mind, and the alcohol was bringing it down to a fuzz. It wasn't as severe.
My mouth convulsed, announcing its desire for water, anything to get rid of the thirst. So I was delivered another shot to quench it.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Apr 1, 2007 13:34:45 GMT -5
Yes, yes, just ignore the man who's seen a thousand drunk men. Ignore the man who's seen soldiers drink themselves insane after one day of battle. He doesn't know anything, he's just a crabby old idiot who stay out of your face so you can drown yourself in a glass, get a hangover in the morning, and blame me for not stopping you.
I growled, reaching for my own glass. That crabby idiot part was probably true, actually, I just didn't feel like accepting that tonight.
I lifted up the glass in a toast, my eyes boring into my companion.
To to getting so wasted you don't remember a thing.
I muttered, pulling away my mask and downing the glass. Alcohol had lost it's sting for me long ago, and as soon as I finished one glass another appeared. The server smiled at me, her large eyes resting on my face for a few moments before moving on. I knew what she was thinking, it was written on her face. Why the heck were you wearing a mask? To many reasons to explain.
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Apr 1, 2007 15:43:27 GMT -5
I choked at the word soldier, almost spitting the alcohol in my mouth back into the drink as I threw myself forward in my chair, one hand clasping the still raised glass and the other holding a death grip on the edge of the table. I clamped my lips together, forcing myself to swallow, then down the remained contents in the shot glass. I could feel a heat in my face now, not only from the alcohol.
He knew who you were the whole time. He's from Sladick. Now he's going to do is drag you back to Nicondae and--.
Deep breath, Ailiana. A few people glanced backward at me to make sure I wasn't dying, but otherwise my fit went unnoted. I barely even noticed that Kakashi had removed his mask. Clearing my throat, I felt my drunk mind trying to find a casual way to find out if I was just overreacting or if my assumptions were true.
"You, um... you work for Sladick?" I asked casually as another glass took the previous one's place.
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Post by Daemon [Naryae] on Apr 2, 2007 14:37:18 GMT -5
Huh, the day I work for that man is the day I die. No, I was once a commander in the King's army, back when there was a king with enough decency to at least pretend like he wasn't a corrupt, perverted, blood-thirsty old bat.
I replied, to interested in my own drink to notice her reaction. The sounds outside were getting duller. Not because the storm was dying down, but because the alcohol was simply backing the entire world a little more fuzzy. There was a time I could have drunk ten glasses and feel nothing more then a tingle in my fingers. Those days were long past, though.
I drank another gulp, another glass appearing instantly. Now I was the one getting drunk. I had to have some self control, though. I doubted that Ailiana was in any condition to drag me up the stairs, and most the other men in this inn were already collapsed on the tables. How many of them had seen people die, I had to wonder...
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Ailiana (Onora)
Queen's Army
Lord of All That is Fuzzy
Remember to never eat a Hooblesnorflessness.
Posts: 244
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Post by Ailiana (Onora) on Apr 6, 2007 14:44:49 GMT -5
I relaxed, shoulders falling. Staring at my new glass, I tried to put a umber on it. Eight? It certainly didn't matter at the moment, I thought as I rose my hand up closer to my lips.
But I faltered. An irk of conscience decided to at that exact moment plague me. Sighing and grumbling something to myself, I rested my head on the table, feeling my damp hair against my cheek. Suddenly, drinking didn't matter to me anymore. It was an interesting turn of events, especially considering it had been all that had mattered a few moments ago. But getting riproaring drunk didn't seem so appealing to me anymore.
The carefree moment had passed. And I was screeching to a halt.
"I'm going to bed," I mumbled to Kakashi, beginning to stand. There was a loud boom of thunder, followed by an intense howl of wind. It almost seemed as if everyone in the inn tensed at that exact moment as the boards creaked their struggle. I took a step forward, finding it more difficult upon me than on normal occasion.
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